Abstract:

Cage aquaculture is one of the methods that will increase fish production in Uganda. Cage aquaculture research in Uganda started in the recent years of 2013 under the national Fisheries Resources Research Institute, National agricultural Research Organisation. This work was supported by Lake Victoria Environmental project II (LVEMP II). The main objective of this report was to identify and map out suitable sites for aquaculture production on the Uganda part of Lake Victoria aimed at increasing fish production and reducing fishing pressure on the natural fish stocks in the Lake Victoria. A total of 80 (Eighty) cage sites were identified in the whole of Lake Victoria Uganda. Regionally these cages follows (22) in the Eastern part of Lake Victoria, right from Jinja, Mayuge, Bugiri, Namayingo and Busia (34) in the central thus Buikwe, Buvuma , Mukono, Wakiso and (24) in the southern parts of Uganda, Mpigi, Kalungu, Masaka, Kalangala and Rakai districts.

Out of the total of 66 cages sites were selected suitable for cage culture in all the districts mentioned based on the both the physical and chemical parameters. In the Eastern (21) of these were selected, (29) cage sites in the central part were also selected and (16) in Southern part of Lake Victoria, Uganda.

Site suitability selection was based on the water quality parameters that were collected in these sites in addition to the physical features of these areas and depth levels. As capture fisheries stocks indicate low catches from Lake Victoria, a need to embrace cage aquaculture is the way forward to ensure increased fish production for both the local people and also be able to meet the demands of the foreign markets. So long as we follows the standard operating procedures for cage culture. Uganda is a food basket for the great lakes region hence a need to boast cage aquaculture in the region and at most the lakes and rivers will be of high interest to the community and the government of Uganda.